REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Public Service Grant Amendments No.4 with Abode Services and Bill Wilson Center for the City’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA)
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing, and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
The City’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program assists households with income levels at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, that are homeless or in jeopardy of becoming homeless, with an emphasis on helping families with children. The goal of the program is to help participants obtain housing and avoid homelessness. The program is designed to act as a “bridge” to self-sufficiency. Along with deposit and rental subsidy assistance, case management services are provided to help participants connect with social services, get on waitlists for long-term affordable housing, and develop other self-sufficiency skills.
The TBRA Program is funded with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) federal grant funds, local City Affordable Housing Funds (CAHF), and City Housing Successor Funds (CHSF). HOME funds are used to pay for subsidies, deposits, and program administration, while the local funds are used to pay for case management activities and some program administration. The proposed contract amendments for FY 2022/23 would be the last before the City is scheduled to complete a Request for Proposal (RFP) for FY 2023/24.
DISCUSSION
Staff is seeking Council approval to amend the agreements with Abode Services and the Bill Wilson Center to extend the terms for another year and increase the not-to-exceed contract amounts.
The TBRA program is one of the City’s key implementation tools to achieve the City’s Consolidated Action Plan (Con Plan) goal for use of HUD funding to address the need for affordable housing. The program serves approximately 40-50 unduplicated households, with both agencies assisting 20-25 households at any given time. City Council approval will allow the City to continue to administer the TBRA program efficiently through the existing service providers.
Staff has included contingency language in the recommendation so that the City will not be required to submit a future Substantial Amendment in the event that the FY 2022/23 Entitlement Grant varies from the anticipated award amount. This language is intended to notify the public of how the City will adjust its funding recommendations based on the actual Entitlement Grant amount. Contingency language has been added to each category and allows the City Manager to revise individual funding amounts to account for the possible changes in funding. This approach will ensure a timely expenditure of HOME funds and will result in a more streamlined program
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan, approved by City Council on May 10, 2022, details the funds allocated to the TBRA program and its two administrators. Funding for both agreements will be effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. This funding is assumed in the FY 2022/23 Proposed Budget.
HOME CAHF CHSF TOTALS
Abode Services $443,727 $80,349 $90,000 $614,076
Bill Wilson Center $344,652 $80,348 $50,000 $475,000
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any report to council may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Amendment No. 4 for the Public Service Grant Agreement with Abode Services for an amount not to exceed $614,076 to administer the City’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, and all related documents for the provision of administrative services for the TBRA Program effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 contingent upon available funding and appropriation of funds, to extend the terms;
2. Approve and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Amendment No. 4 for the Public Service Grant Agreement with Bill Wilson Center for an amount not to exceed $475,000 to administer the City’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, and all related documents for the provision of administrative services for the TBRA Program effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 contingent upon available funding and appropriation of funds, to extend the terms; and
3. Authorize and direct the City Manager to make proportional adjustments to the Home Fund allocations in the event that the City's Final FY 2022/23 Award Amount is different than the projected amount. Each project will receive a proportional allocation of the recommended amount; subject to the appropriation of funds and after the City’s administration set-aside and CHDO set-aside is calculated.
Staff
Reviewed by: Andrew Crabtree, Director, Community Development
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2022-2023 Abode Services TBRA - Amendment No. 4
2. 2022-2023 Bill Wilson Center TBRA - Amendment No. 4